Making a Difference

Building on its longtime support of education in Hawai‘i, American Savings Bank (ASB) has donated $65,000 to the American Savings Bank Endowed Scholarship Fund. The company established this scholarship at the University of Hawai‘i in 1978. Over the last 40 years, this scholarship has been awarded 55 times.

The Barbara Kawakami Collection at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles is “the most significant collection of Issei (first generation Japanese) immigration and plantation clothing in the world,” according to JANM.

After 14 years at the helm, University of Hawai‘i Foundation President and CEO Donna Vuchinich is planning her retirement from her position. She will serve in her current role until a successor is named and assist with the transition to new leadership.

To express his gratitude and affection for many of the Hamilton Librarians with whom he has worked for more than five decades, Al has endowed a new fund which he titled The Hawaiian and Pacific Collections Endowment in Honor of Its Faculty and Staff.

The University of Hawai‘i has awarded the William and Ellen Melohn Chair in Cancer Biology to Dr. Michele Carbone in recognition of his research in cancer genetics. This endowed chair was created with a generous gift from the Melohn family to the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center.

Throughout her life, Sandi Lynn Edelstein Portnoy was active in women’s issues. She volunteered for and supported abortion rights, victims of domestic violence, and equal pay. In her memory, her husband Jeff Portnoy and more than 100 friends have established the Sandi Portnoy Endowed Memorial Scholarship for Women’s Issues.